Things to Do in Australia And The Pacific

Choose from 889 Fun Things to Do in Australia And The Pacific

Around 1,800 exotic and native mammals, birds, reptiles and fish reside at the 8-hectare Adelaide Zoo, comprising 300 species. Major attractions include the Southeast Asian rainforest exhibit, Immersion, a walkthrough jungle environment where tigers and orangatuns feel within reach. Also the giant pandas Wang Wang and Funi!

Opened in 1883, it is Australia's second-oldest zoo and the only not-for-pro fit zoo in the country. Many of the structures are National Trust registered although these, such as the elephant house, these days are used for educational exhibits while the animals have moved to more natural environments. There is a Children's Zoo where you can pet animals including kangaroos and koalas, and the Envirodome, an education/interactive center.

Practial Info

The zoo is on the edge of the city next to the Botanical Gardens. Catch bus 271 or 273 from Currie Street to Frome Street directly outside the zoo. You can take a water cruise to the zoo from Elder Park, in front of the Festival Centre, on Pop-eye.

Airlie Beach may be two-horse small, but it's the main point of departure for many Whitsunday cruises so it's always got the lively feel of constant movement. In the day, the pace is laid back and mainly revolves around the town's artificial lagoon. This is a giant swimming pool (and we mean giant - more than the equivalent of six full-size pools) built by the council to give the town's inhabitants and visitors somewhere to swim when jellyfish season closes the beach.

The lagoon is surrounded by landscaped gardens and everything you'll need for a lazy day spent between the water and the picnic basket - BBQs, showers and toilets are all on tap.

Practical Info

At night, the town sparks up and the backpacker population join the locals on Shute Harbour Road, the main center, to do the rounds of its bars, pubs and clubs. Shute Harbour Road is where you'll find most of the accommodation and eating options, which are reasonable to good. If you're taking a cruise out to the Barrier Reef or the Whitsunday Islands, you'll probably be leaving from Shute Harbour, about 10 minutes drive away from Airlie Beach itself.

In the far reaches of Australia’s Northern Territory, the rough and tumble outpost of Darwin is a hotbed of quintessential Australian adventure, and none more so than a cruise on the Adelaide River to see the legendary jumping crocodiles, which can grow upwards of 20 feet long. Salt-water crocodiles are some of the most fearsome and notorious wild animals in the Australian bush, and the Adelaide River literally teems with them—don’t plan to take a swim during a day on the water.

Experienced guides control the experience so you can see these incredible prehistoric reptiles from the comfort and safety of a boat. And while the crocs are certainly the highlight of a trip to the river, you can see plenty of other wildlife along the way, including wild buffalo and white-breasted sea eagles. The Adelaide River is also a hotspot for fishing trips to snag massive, hard-fighting barramundi fish.

Practical Info

The Adelaide River flows through the Harrison Dam Conservation Area on its way to the ocean, and it’s on the edge of the park from which most river tours board and depart. From downtown Darwin, it’s about 40 miles to the southeast, and an hour-long drive each way.

Best known as the home of Formula 1 Grand Prix in March each year, Melbourne’s Albert Park is also a leafy inner-city retreat with a swan-filled lake, sports venues, playgrounds and a skyline view.

Only three kilometers from the city center, Albert Park is crown land that stretches more than 188 hectares into the south of Melbourne, making it a popular place for runners, dog-walkers and those in need of some fresh, green space.

There are three main picnic areas to enjoy in Albert Park, all with picnic shelters, electric barbecues, shady trees, toilets and tables. From Aquatic Drive, you can take a stroll along the lakeside boardwalk, enjoy fine service and a steak at The Point restaurant, and watch sail boats tack across the lake.

Sports lovers can enjoy the public golf course within Albert Park, try their hand at sailing from the boat shed or take a dip at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre. For those less energetic, perhaps try a coffee from the kiosk and relaxing to the sound of song birds in the parkland wilderness.

Practical Info:

Find Albert Park on Albert Road, stretching between South Melbourne and St Kilda. Pay-and-display parking is available at the park; just check the signs for prices and time limits. You can also use Melbourne’s much-loved tram system to get to Albert Park from the city in about 15 minutes. Tram number 1 leaves from Swanson Street. Tram number 112 leaves from Collins Street, and from Albert Park, continues down to Fitzroy and St Kilda. If you’re interested in window shopping and urban adventures after your park visit, try nearby Bridport Street and Victoria Avenue.

People come to America to watch baseball and they go to Australia to watch cricket. The Adelaide Oval, located in the parklands between city center and North Adelaide, has been home to two teams, as well as the South Australian Cricket Association. Built in 1871, lights were not added to this 54,500-seat stadium until 1997.

The Adelaide Oval is an ideal spot for catching both international and domestic cricket, as well as Australian rules football games, rugby and soccer. The stadium has also proved a successful music venue, with acts like Paul McCartney, Madonna and Michael Jackson taking the stage.

Practical Info

Games are played regularly, so it’s easy to catch an event at this impressive stadium. Admission is subject to review, so be sure to check the website for prohibited items, dress code and other information before arriving at the Oval.

The Great Barrier Reef is the Earth’s largest structure built entirely by living organisms. It runs for over 1,200 miles from its northern to southern tip, and is almost the size of the state of Montana when its various reefs are combined. One of the reefs—the Agincourt Reef—is a distant section along the reef’s northern tip where stunning biodiversity creates one of the most pristine ecosystems found anywhere along the reef.

Known as a type of “Ribbon Reef,” the Agincourt Reef runs parallel to the line with the Continental Shelf. Exotic species such as the Maori wrasse are commonly found along the reef, and sharks, rays—and even whales—can be seen when scuba diving the reef. Even for travelers who are just snorkeling, however, there are sections of the reef only a few feet below the clear, turquoise waters. Here, in the shallow lagoons, thousands of fish inhabit a reef that bursts with vibrancy and color—and there is even the chance of encountering species like the giant purple clam. Like a galactic portal to an entirely new world, the sights, colors, and marine diversity create an aquatic wonderland off of Port Douglas unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.

Practical Info

Port Douglas is the best access point for reaching the Agincourt Reef, which is 90 miles off of the coast and takes 1.5 hours to reach. Diving and snorkeling is possible during all times of the year, but August to December offers the best conditions for temperature and visibility.

Stroll, jog or find yourself a grassy patch to read a book in the splendid, city-fringe Adelaide Botanic Garden, established in the 1850s. Highlights here include a unique prefabricated palm house (1877), the Museum of Economic Botany (check out its stencilled ceiling), and the 1988 Bicentennial Conservatory, which recreates a tropical rainforest environment.

Comprising the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide are two other sites: the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden and Wittunga Botanic Garden. Mount Lofty is less than half an hour from the city centre and has plants which thrive in cooler climates than those of the plains below. Wittunga in the Adelaide Hills was once the private Garden of Edwin Ashby and has been open to the public since 1975. It is a popular place for picnics.

Practical Info

The Adelaide Botanic Garden is an easy walk from the city. Free 1½-hour guided walks depart from the kiosk at 10:30am

The Alice Springs Desert Park offers the opportunity to experience the main desert environments in Australia. Wander through sand, woodland and river deserts and learn about their different plant and animal inhabitants. You will also learn about the traditional owners of the land, the Arrernte.

Animals rarely seen in the wild are on display in the nocturnal house which mimics the night desert offering a peek at rare and endangered animals that only come out in the dark like bilbies and carnivorous ghost bats.

The aquarium offers you a look at the animals you might find in a waterhole including fish, yabbies, burrowing frogs and turtles.

Practical Info

Guided audio tours are available. You can take the short route through the park or explore further afield to find kangaroos and birdlife.

The park is 10 minutes by car from the center of Alice Springs. Alternatively, the Larapinta bike track will take you to the entrance.

New Zealand has the world’s highest sheep-to-human ratio, with an industry that is estimated to include 30 million sheep. At the Rotorua Agrodome—a 350-acre (142-hectare) working sheep farm just outside of town—visitors can help to shear sheep, tour the mill, and observe well-trained sheepdogs as they follow commands.

The Basics

An entrance ticket to the Agrodome typically includes a Farm Tour, Farm Show, or both. Visitors ride an all-terrain vehicle through North Island pasturelands and lend a hand to milk a cow or bottle-feed a baby goat, and watch a carding and spinning demonstration at the century-old Woollen Mill. Visitors can tour the Agrodome as part of a full-day tour of Rotorua, or explore the farm only on a dedicated 3-hour excursion.

Things to Know Before You Go

This educational experience is suitable for all ages and allows families to participate in farming activities; children under 5 years old enter free.

Choose between an Agrodome Farm Show or Farm Tour, or select both.

Day trips combine the North Island’s top attractions, such as the Hobbiton Movie Set, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, and Rainbow Springs Nature Park.

How to Get There

The Rotorua Agrodome is located at 141 Western Road, Ngongotaha, only 6 miles (10 kilometers) from Rotorua. The farm is served by excellent public transport from the city center. For those with a car, it’s a 10-minute drive from the city center and 2.5 hours from Auckland Airport. Most guided day trips provide round-trip hotel transport.

When to Get There

This must-see attraction is open daily from 8:30am to 5pm. The Agrodome remains open in all weather conditions and during all public holidays, including Christmas Day. The Farm Shows and Farm Tours (each lasts one hour) are scheduled throughout the day.

For Adventure Seekers

There is an adrenaline-fueled side to the Agrodome. Visitors can “zorb” down a long, grassy hill, which essentially means standing in a large plastic ball and rolling yourself downward. There’s also the option to take a ride on the cheek-flapping swing bridge, or go flying inside of a wind tunnel. Visitors can even go bungee jumping.

This now defunct prison in the heart of Thebarton was the first home of criminals in South Australia. While it serves as a museum today, Adelaide Gaol held lawbreakers and convicts between 1841 and 1988. Life was hard here and executions and torture were a part of daily life.

Travelers who journey to this top attraction will find plenty to do and see on a tour of this historical icon, and visitors say the guided day and evening tours are an ideal way to not only learn about the history of Adelaide Gaol, but those who once called its walls home, too. Travelers who opt for a self-guided tour will still find impressive displays with well-marked information and plenty of historical context.

Practical Info

Adelaide Gaol is located at 18 Gaol Road in Thebarton. Travelers can take self-guided tours Sunday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. with the last entry at 3:30 p.m. Visitors who are interested in the paranormal can book guided tours with local outfits that focus on ghosts and spirits of the Adelaide Gaol.

Created by a network of lava tubes, the thundering blowholes at Alofaaga are arguably the most popular visitor attraction on the island of Savai’i. When waves crash on the coastal shelf outside the village of Taga, some of the water gets trapped in the tubes that are right by the surface of the water. When the pressure simply becomes too much and it notices an opening to escape, it erupts as a natural, saltwater geyser that often reaches neck-craning heights of over 100 feet. Depending upon the swell angle and tide, multiple blowholes can all erupt within powerful moments of each other, and are often accompanied by a deafening roar of water being jettisoned through the hole. Because the spot is popular with visitors, local villagers will often be there to offer their services as a guide—or simply to toss a few coconuts in the hole and then watch as they take off like cannonballs. The blowholes are part of south coast tours that leave from Salelologa, and if you choose to visit the site on your own, the drive to the blowholes can sometimes be rough, especially for low-clearance cars.

Practical Info

The Alofaaga Blowholes are most powerful around high tide and on days with elevated surf. The hike from the initial entrance can be rugged so you’ll want to have proper footwear, and the rocks around the blowholes can be very slippery, so be extra cautious when walking. There are basic toilet facilities near the blowholes, and remember to lock your car.

Insider's Tip: Whatever the locals do or tell you, do not get close to any of the blowholes since a fall through the hole would be fatal.

If there’s a single image of tropical paradise it’s a hidden waterfall in the rainforest. That’s the scene that visitors will encounter at Afu Aau Falls, where a waterfall peacefully plunges into a cool, crystalline pool. After paying a nominal entry fee at the gate to local villagers, park the car by the changing station and make the short, 10-minute walk to the tumbling stream of water. Be sure to pack along a swimsuit, since one of the highlights of Afu Aau Falls in splashing and swimming in the water. It’s the perfect refresher on a hot day of exploring Savai’i, and you could easily while away hours just splashing and hanging out on the rocks.

For visitors traveling without a car, the waterfall is a popular stop for half-day, guided tours of the island, where you can experience the lush, natural beauty just minutes away from town.

Insider's Tip: Be sure to bring proper walking shoes for the short hike up to the falls.

Practical Info

Alcohol is strictly forbidden at the falls, and there is no access on Sundays. There are basic toilets and changing rooms that offer minimal privacy, and the walk to the waterfall can often be slippery—particularly after it’s rained. Because the road to the falls is narrow, visitors who choose to drive independently will need to reverse down a long driveway since turning around can be a challenge.

Although it is located in a former British colony, Akaroa Harbour is decidedly French—down to the baguettes and street names—as this Christchurch enclave was originally founded by pioneering French settlers. Located on the rugged Banks Peninsula, 90 minutes by car from Christchurch, Akaroa drifts along at a pace that's more rural, laid-back—and French—than New Zealand’s third-largest city.

The Basics

Aside from the welcoming, francophone atmosphere and scenic views, Akaroa is an especially popular spot to observe wild dolphins. The harbour is located inside the caldera of a sunken volcano, making it ideal habitat for marine mammals and birdlife. A harbor cruise is a must-do activity, and usually includes commentary about landmarks such as Akaroa Lighthouse, Cathedral Cave, and Scenery Nook. Some wildlife-viewing operations even let you swim alongside Hector’s dolphins—the rarest and smallest in the world—if you keep a respectable distance.

Things to Know Before You Go

Akaroa Harbour is a marine mammal sanctuary where encounters with wildlife are regulated.

No touching or harassment of wildlife is allowed, and in events such as mother animals seen swimming with babies, or dolphins appearing to be feeding, guests can view the wildlife from the boat as opposed to getting in the water.

Akaroa is located 46 miles (75 kilometers) southeast of Christchurch, from which shuttles run daily. If driving from the city, allow roughly 1.5 hours and follow a scenic route along Highway 75 around the Banks Peninsula to Akaroa. Alternatively, full-day tours are run from Christchurch, and shore excursions are available for cruise ship passengers at Akaroa Harbour.

When to Get There

Summer sun and generally higher temperatures around December–February make the hidden coves and beaches of Akaroa more pleasant. However, the cooler temps of winter keep the crowds away and off-season prices lower. Wildlife cruises operate year-round.

Wildlife Viewing Abounds in Akaroa

For some added adventure in the area, tour the scenic coastline by kayak and scour the waters for wildlife. In addition to pods of Hector's dolphins, you may see little blue penguins as well as colonies of New Zealand fur seals and diving cormorants (aka shags) that frequent the rocks around Akaroa Harbour.

The Alice Springs Reptile Centre is the largest collection of reptiles in the Northern Territory. Focusing its collection on indigenous reptiles, the center prides itself on its conservation practices and its showcase of reptiles native to Australia’s Red Centre. More than 50 different species are kept here, making up a collection of over 100 animals. Favorites include a saltwater crocodile, a gecko house with natural exhibits for geckos from the surrounding area and the wacky-looking thorny devil.

Along with the reptile displays, the Alice Springs Reptile Centre is heavily involved in local wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. It is home to Wildcare, an initiative that cares for sick and injured Australian wildlife, rehabilitating and releasing them back into the wild.

The Alice Springs Reptile Centre is located in the center of Alice Springs, on Stuart Terrace off the river side of the Stuart Highway. The site is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and reptile shows are held at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. daily. Admission costs $16 for adults, $8 for children up to 16 years old and $40 for a family of two adults and two children.

Set amid the natural wonders and wildlife reserves of Phillip Island, A Maze'N Things offers a fun alternative for a family day out. The small-scale theme park is packed with interactive exhibitions and activities, including mind-bending illusions, a gigantic maze, a minigolf course, and plenty of games, puzzles, and challenges to keep all ages entertained.

The Basics

Admission to A Maze'N Things includes entrance to its Magic Manor, Puzzle Island, Illusion Rooms, and the Maze, while tours from Melbourne often combine a visit with attractions like the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory or the evening Penguin Parade. Additional ticketed activities include the 19-hole Maxi Mini Golf course and the SkyTrail high-ropes adventure course.

Things to Know Before You Go

A Maze'N Things is suitable for all ages, but there are age restrictions on some activities and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

On-site facilities include a café, picnic and barbecue area, gift shop, and playground.

The Maze takes an average of 45 minutes to complete, but plan up to three hours to enjoy all the park’s activities.

Some of the park’s attractions are wheelchair accessible.

How to Get There

A Maze’N Things is located on the main Phillip Island Road, between the Rusty Water Brewery and Phillip Island Adventure Resort. It’s about a 1.5-hour drive from Melbourne city center and just a 10-minute drive from Phillip Island attractions such as Seal Rocks and the Penguin Parade.

When to Get There

Open daily year-round, A Maze’N Things is busiest in peak season (December and January) and during school holidays. The SkyTrail is open daily throughout January, but the rest of the year it opens only on weekends.

Family Fun at A Maze’N Things

Tackling a gigantic open-air 3-D maze, zooming down the LookOut! slide, clambering through the treetops on the SkyTrail, and playing a round of minigolf are just some of the activities on offer at A Maze’N Things. In the Illusion Rooms, you can make people disappear, see water flowing uphill, defy gravity, and get shrunk. On Puzzle Island, experience a Mirror Maze, ride a flying boogie board, or try to balance in a rotating room; and in the Magic Manor, see a flying chandelier, test your nerves in the scare rooms, and try out magic tricks.

Imagine soaring above Humpback whales as they breach in the water below, and seeing manta rays, dolphins, and shipwrecks as they whiz by under your feet. That’s the scene that visitors may experience on a sightseeing tour of the Abrolhos, an island chain off Western Australia that’s one of the nation’s best secrets. Save for a handful of lobster fisherman, the Abrolhos Islands are completely uninhabited—protected in conservation—though select areas are accessible to visitors who arrive by air and by sea.

One of the most popular way to experience the islands is on a flightseeing tour from Geraldton, where pilots search for splashing marine life in the turquoise waters below, and point out the wreck of the famous Batavia which sank in the 17th Century. Touching down on one of the islands, hike along white-sand, tree-lined shorelines for the chance to snorkel the reef, where the vibrant colors and wealth of marine life offer some of Australia’s best snorkeling. Unlike more popular spots, however, like Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef, the Abrolhos Islands are nearly deserted—just you, your pilot, and the sea.

Practical Info

The Abrolhos Islands are about 36 miles west of Geraldton and consist of 122 islands. The three main groups are the Easter, Wallabi, and Pelsaert groups, and since the islands became a national park in 2016, it’s believed more facilities—and eventually more visitors—won’t be far behind.

Did You Know? When the Zweeijk was wrecked off the Abrolhos Islands in 1727, over 3 tons of gold coins were saved and rescued by its crew.

Remember the days of buying your fresh fruit and vegetables direct from the people who grow it? The thrill of bargaining, and buying according to what's in season, with a recommendation of what's best tasting at the moment and how you should eat it? You can still experience that at Adelaide Central Market.

For 140 years this market in the heart of the city has been providing residents with fresh produce. Over 80 stalls selling direct from the producers, include fruit and vegetables, meats and seafood, bakeries, cheeses, small goods and plants and flowers. There are cafes to rest in with a coffee or snack after an invigorating session of bargaining.

Practical Info

The market is located right in the heart of the city so it's easy to get to. The City to Bay tram stops right outside the door, as does the Free Adelaide Connector Bus.

A scenic boardwalk leads to the viewing platform for Admiral’s Arch – the naturally formed rock bridge that towers above colonies of New Zealand fur seals.

Originally an ancient cave, Admirals Arch has been shaped by the intense winds and surf that pound the coast of Kangaroo Island. Stalactites still hang from the rocky ceiling whilst the floor has been eroded to a smooth finish. The Arch has been designated a geological monument, and is one of 27 geological monuments on the island.

The boardwalk runs along the cliff face, providing uninterrupted views of the ocean. Dolphins can often be spotted, and whales migrate along the coast from May to October. Year round entertainment however, is provided by the colony of fur seals that live and play on the rock platforms beneath the cliff. Pups are born in December, and remain with their mothers for a year, playing in the rock pools under the Arch.

Practical Info:

Sitting on Cape du Couedic in Flinders Chase National Park, Admirals
Arch is a 10 minute walk from the Admirals Arch Car Park. Several longer
walks such as the Cape du Couedic Hike begin within the area, and the
Cape du Couedic Lightstation lies on the road to the Admirals Arch
Boardwalk.

One of the twelve stops along the overland telegraph route the Alice Spring Telegraph Station Historical Reserve is a great place for a picnic. The reserve has walking tracks, swimming holes, a cycle path and shady spots to rest. There are also free electric barbeques. Several colonies of rock wallabies share the reserve with plenty of other native wildlife and some pet camels.

Many of the buildings in the old Telegraph station have been restored and offer a look at how messages were sent across Australia in the days when the trip took weeks by horse. In the Post and Telegraph Room you can still post a letter and send a telegram (email) to a friend. In the cooler months (May - Oct) the wood-fired oven is lit and damper ('outback bread') and scones are served.

Practical Info

Access to the reserve is free but there is a cost to visit the historic buildings. There are free 45-minute tours through the Telegraph Station or you can self-guide with the map provided.

The park is about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) north of Alice Springs. You can drive, catch a cab or walk or cycle the path from Wills Terrace and Undoolya Road.

With a bold profile of gleaming triangular panels in a unique bioframe
roof, it’s no surprise that Melbourne’s AAMI Park has quickly become an
iconic sporting stadium.

Located only one kilometre from the
city centre, between the sweeping Yarra River and the
internationally-loved MCG, AAMI Park is Melbourne’s premier medium-sized
soccer, rugby union and rugby league venue.

The stadium has a
capacity of more than 30,000 spectators and boasts a popular roof design
that offers seating cover and a notable lack of pillars and walls
obstructing the view.

Recognizing the unique value of this
Melbourne attraction, in 2012 AAMI Park was awarded the World’s Most
Iconic and Culturally Significant Stadium by the Stadium World Congress.

Practical Info

AAMI Park is within the Melbourne and Olympic Parks precinct, and has been designed with easy and frequent connection to Melbourne trains, trams and buses.

Trams from Flinders Street and Richmond Stations stop at AAMI Park Stop 7D. Richmond Station, Jolimont Station and Flinders Street train stations are within walking distance to AAMI Park. Buses link between the city and the sports precinct. Visitors can also walk from Federation Square in the city, along the Yarra River.

Onsite car parking is limited and fees apply. Event days are more expensive than non-event days.